Community has birthday surprise for vet, 94

World War II veteran Bob Camp gets a surprise birthday greeting from area residents alerted through social media that he would mark his 94th birthday.

World War II veteran Bob Camp gets a surprise birthday greeting from area residents alerted through social media that he would mark his 94th birthday.

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World War II veteran Bob Camp gets a surprise birthday greeting from area residents alerted through social media that he would mark his 94th birthday.

World War II veteran Bob Camp gets a surprise birthday greeting from area residents alerted through social media that he would mark his 94th birthday.

Community has birthday surprise for vet, 94

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A Dickinson woman who wanted her World War II veteran dad to have a special 94th birthday turned to a place some might think of as a risky platform for help — social media.

Summer Camp asked people on Facebook and Next Door to send messages to her father, Bob Camp to celebrate his birthday on July 8.

She was surprised at what happened. Despite rain and gloomy weather, scores of people showed up to cheer the frail but excited veteran.

A key participant was League City resident John Dawson, who decided that he and the surrounding community could do a little more than send notes.

"Like most people, I saw Summer's post in the NextDoor app asking for people in the community to send letters/cards to her father for her birthday," Dawson said. "My initial thoughts were, 'How sweet! But what more can we do?' There aren't that many people of Mr. Camp's history still with us. Regardless of one's political beliefs, I strongly feel that our veterans should be honored, recognized and appreciated for their sacrifices. With veteran suicide as a virtual pandemic, I knew I had to do something besides just a letter or a card to let him (and all veterans) know they aren't forgotten and that they are very much appreciated and respected."

And that's exactly what he did. Dawson immediately began organizing people to sing to Camp and bring him cake.

"I was just a little surprised by the social media reaction we received for the event," Dawson said. "I was somewhat worried due to the forecast and possibility for rain, but being born and raised in Texas, I know the spirit of the people in our communities and everyone helped spread the word even if they weren't able to attend."

Summer Camp was proud of how the community responded to her father's birthday.

"He is a loving, kind-hearted man who has always lived for his family and friends, and he's never met a stranger," she said of her dad. "He's always willing to help people in any way he can without expecting anything in return."

Serving in the Army under Gen. George S. Patton, Bob Camp fought at the Battle of the Bulge. He earned two Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star.

"Dad served in the Army, from 1945 through '46," his daughter said. "He ... took off across France to the border of Germany, all the way to Berlin. He fought in the Ardennes (campaign in the) Rhineland in Central Europe. He was on the Siegfried Line (of German defenses). One of his Purple Hearts was earned when he was wounded by a grenade; the other was earned when he was shot through the side and the bullet came out through his tailbone.

"He is 100 percent disabled from his war injuries," Summer Camp said. "The doctors at the VA hospital said dad has the worst case of (post-traumatic stress disorder) that they've ever seen."

"Just to show you a what kind of person he is, a few night ago he had his eye mask on for sleeping and I handed him his gloves to put on because his hands are always cold," Summer Camp said of her dad. "He was trying to put them on without being able to see. It was hard for him and when he got done he said to me, 'Let's make sure to send money to the Blind Federation tomorrow.'"

Dawson said the experience showed him that it's important to consider the importance of community.

"None of this would have happened without Summer Camp reaching out to her neighbors," Dawson said. "It honestly reminded me of that small-town patriotism on which America is built. I am just glad to see it still exists."